







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | |
| Bacon and eggs with some olives is enough for me. | |
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | |
| Yeah, I think it's a bit early to knock on someone's door! | |
| Do your parents live in London, too? | |
| He wants to, but tonight it's impossible. | |
| You can just stay with me, until you find somewhere to live. | |
| Hmm.. I think it's overdue. | |
| Is there any other cat around? | |
| Thank you, dear... For helping me to be a liar! | |
| Here you go sir, this is your receipt and your £20 cashback. | |
| And now we've got plenty of mushrooms left to use. | |
| Set times always stress me out. | |
| I don't like their chardonnay. | |
| It's very difficult for me to go there more than once a year. | |
| Which website do you use? | |
| How much do you pay for your room? | |
| Good boy, Beary! See, he is just a little friend. | |
| Thanks for warning me now, that's very helpful! | |
| Um, I don't feel like eating anything but fish today. | |